ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Asiatic Lions housed in Hyderabad zoo infected with SARS-COV2 recovering well.
Analysis of samples reveals infection not caused by any variant of concern.
No factual evidence that animals can transmit the disease to humans any further.
On the 24th April 2021 with an abundance of caution , Nehru Zoological Park , Hyderabad shared samples  with CCMB-LaCONES for eight Asiatic lions housed in the Zoo that had showed signs of respiratory distress. Based on detailed diagnostic tests and report as shared by CCMB-LaCONES on 4th May 2021, it has now been confirmed that eight Asiatic lions housed in Nehru Zoological Park , Hyderabad have tested positive for SARS-CoV2 virus.
Further analyses of the samples have revealed that the infection was not caused by any variant of concern. The eight lions have been isolated and due care and necessary treatment has been provided. All the eight lions have responded well to the treatment and recovering. They are behaving normally and eating well. Preventive measures are already in place for all zoo staff and the zoo has been closed to visitors to avoid minimal external contact.
Central Zoo Authority has taken several pre-emptive measures including issuance of guidelines and advisories to the zoos towards precautions to be undertaken by zoos in the light of increasing number of cases of SARS CoV-2 .
The monitoring and guidelines for prevention, sample collection, detection in suspected cases, and safety protocols for animal keepers etc have been suggested to zoos in consultation with scientific agencies and experts Indian Veterinary Research Institute  Uttar Pradesh and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology – Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species  Hyderabad. Such advisories are readily available in public domain http://cza.nic.in/news/en .
As part of next steps new guidelines for COVID precautions are being further developed in consultation with experts. Additional information shall be issued as warranted.
Based on experience with zoo animals elsewhere in the world that have experienced SARS-COV2 positive last year, there is no factual evidence that animals can transmit the disease to humans any further. Media is therefore requested to exercise extreme caution while reporting and provide a responsible coverage for the same.
Ministry of Steel
NMDC signs Collaborative Research Agreement with CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar
National Miner NMDC signed an Agreement for Collaborative Research with CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, on "Feasibility Studies for Preparation of Fused Magnesia from Kimberlite Tailings" today at its head office in Hyderabad. The agreement was signed between Shri S.K. Chaurasiya, GM, R&D, from NMDC and Dr. Ashok Kumar Sahu, Chief Scientist and Head, Strategy Planning and Business Development, from CSIR-IMMT, in the presence of NMDC’s Director , Shri Dilip Kumar Mohanty, senior officials of NMDC and Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head, Hydro & Electrometallurgy Department, CSIR-IMMT.
NMDC operates the only mechanised diamond mine in Southeast Asia at Panna in Madhya Pradesh. This mine produces around 10 carats of diamond  per 100 tonnes of kimberlite processed, which is dumped as waste after the recovery of diamonds. Kimberlite tailings are used for the development of value-added products and are also known to be a good source of caustic magnesia. Addressing this research gap for the best utilisation of kimberlite that is available and has accumulated over the years at Panna Diamond Mines, NMDC has initiated the Research Agreement to study the processing and preparation of fused MgO and TiO2.
Speaking on this project, Shri Sumit Deb, CMD of NMDC said that NMDC is tapping on the opportunity to utilise kimberlite tailings from our Panna Mines as a resource to produce high cost fused magnesia. "We are confident that our endeavours will lead to the conversion of waste into wealth and import substitution, proving to be a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat," said Shri Deb.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Cabinet approves Kochi Metro Rail Project Phase-II from JLN Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad
Phase with a length of 11.17 Kms and 11 stations to cost Rs.1,957.05 crore
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the implementation of the Kochi metro Rail Phase II of Kochi Metro Rail Project from JLN Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad, at a cost of Rs.1,957.05 crore, with a length of 11.17 Kms and 11 stations. The preparatory works for Phase-II including road widening of Seaport Airport Road are progressing well.
Phase-I in Kochi from Aluva to Petta, covering a length of 25.6 Km with 22 stations at an estimated completion cost of Rs.5181.79 crore is fully operational.
Kochi Metro Phase 1A project of viaduct of 1.80 km between Petta to SN Junction with an approved cost of Rs.710.93 crore. The Project is being implemented as state sector project. Presently all construction activities related with the Project is over and the Project is ready for inauguration.
Kochi Metro Phase 1 B Project of 1.20 Km from SN Junction to Thripunithura Terminal is under construction as state sector project.
Funding Pattern:
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Source
|
|
Amount 
|
|
% Contribution
|
|
1.
|
|
GoI Equity
|
|
274.90
|
|
16.23%
|
|
2.
|
|
GoK Equity
|
|
274.90
|
|
16.23%
|
|
3.
|
|
GoI Subordinate Debt for 50% of Central Taxes
|
|
63.85
|
|
3.77%
|
|
4.
|
|
GoK Subordinate Debt for 50% of Central Taxes
|
|
63.85
|
|
3.77%
|
|
5.
|
|
Loan from Bilateral/Multilateral agencies
|
|
1016.24
|
|
60.00%
|
|
6.
|
|
Total Cost excluding Land, R&R and PPP Components
|
|
1693.74
|
|
100.00%
|
|
7.
|
|
GoK Subordinate Debt for Land including R&R cost
|
|
82.68
|
|
|
|
8.
|
|
State Taxes to be borne by GoK
|
|
94.19
|
|
|
|
9.
|
|
Interest during Construction  for loan and front end fees to be borne by GoK
|
|
39.56
|
|
|
|
10.
|
|
PPP Components 
|
|
46.88
|
|
|
|
11.
|
|
Total Completion Cost
|
|
1957.05
|
|
Background:
Kochi is the most densely populated city in the State of Kerala and is part of an extended metropolitan region, which is the largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. Kochi metropolitan area is estimated to have population of about 20.8 Lakh in year 2013, 25.8 Lakh in 2021 and 33.12 Lakh by the year 2031.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
‘Seekho Aur Kamao’ Scheme
Seekho Aur Kamao is a skill development scheme for youth of 14 - 35 years age group and aiming at providing employment and employment opportunities, improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc. In the last 7 years appx. 3.92 lakh persons have been benefitted under this employment oriented scheme. The details of beneficiary target allocated for training programmes organized by Government in the last two years under ‘Seekho aur Kamao’ scheme for skill development of minorities, State-wise is as under:
|
|
State-wise details of beneficiary target allocated under Seekho Aur Kamao scheme in the last two years
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
6358
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
142
|
|
Assam
|
|
8210
|
|
Bihar
|
|
10209
|
|
Delhi
|
|
2752
|
|
Goa
|
|
120
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
5572
|
|
Haryana
|
|
5078
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
393
|
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
|
14560
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
6953
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
2530
|
|
Kerala
|
|
60
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
13445
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
6180
|
|
Manipur
|
|
300
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
301
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
45
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
91
|
|
Orissa
|
|
521
|
|
Punjab
|
|
11044
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
8100
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
46
|
|
Telangana
|
|
2770
|
|
Tripura
|
|
125
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
52702
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
1271
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
8955
Note: A Training target of 40,000 has been recently given to the Project Implementing Agencies for which the state-wise allocation is to be done.
The scheme ensures 75% placement, out of which 50% should be in organized sector. As per scheme guidelines, the implementing organizations will be required to establish linkages with placement services, and for the candidates interested in self employment after availing the training, the organization shall arrange easy micro finance/ loans for them through financial institutions, National Minority Development Finance Corporation , banks etc.
Post placement support of Rs. 2000/- per month is provided to placed trainees for two months as placement assistance.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Win Exciting Cash Prizes: Design a Catchy Logo and Tagline for CPGRAMS on #MyGov
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances  is inviting citizens to participate in a logo and tagline design competition for Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System  on #MyGov. The competition is open for entries from April 10, 2023, and the last date to submit the entries is May 01, 2023.
CPGRAMS is an online platform available to the citizens 24x7 to lodge their grievances to the public authorities on any subject related to service delivery. It is a single portal connected to all the Ministries/Departments of Government of India and States. Every Ministry and State have role-based access to this system. CPGRAMS is also accessible to the citizens through standalone mobile application downloadable through Google Play store and mobile application integrated with UMANG.
To make the platform more relatable and catchy, DARPG is seeking citizens' participation to come up with a more suitable and catchy name and logo for CPGRAMS that represent the spirit of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism and Citizen empowerment to reach the government for resolution of their grievances.
The winning entry  will be awarded prizes of Rs 51,000/-  and a certificate from Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
To participate in the competition, interested citizens can visit the #MyGov website  and submit their entries before the deadline. The competition is open to all Indian citizens above the age of 18.
To understand more about CPGRAMS, participants may go through the website https://www.pgportal.gov.in.
For any queries related to the competition, interested citizens can contact the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances at 011-24622461.
Let's make CPGRAMS more relatable and catchier with your creativity and innovation! Participate now and stand a chance to win exciting cash prizes.
Prime Minister's Office
PM reviews progress towards beginning of GST on July 1
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today reviewed the status of GST, which is to be implemented from July 1.
The meeting, which lasted for over two and a half hours, was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and top-most officials from the Ministry of Finance, PMO and the Cabinet Secretary.
In the course of the meeting, the Prime Minister specifically reviewed aspects of implementation such as IT readiness, HR readiness, training and sensitization of officers, query handling mechanism, and monitoring. The Prime Minister was informed that GST systems such as IT infrastructure, training of officials, integration with banks, and enrolment of existing taxpayers will be in readiness well in time for the July 1 implementation date. Information security systems were discussed in detail.
A Twitter handle - @askGst_GOI has been started for real time answering of queries. An All India toll-free phone 1800-1200-232 has also been activated for this purpose.
The Prime Minister asserted that the implementation of GST from July 1st, is the culmination of the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including political parties, trade and industry bodies. He described GST as a turning point for the economy, unprecedented in history. He directed officials that the creation of One Nation; One Market; One Tax would greatly benefit the common man. The Prime Minister also directed that maximum attention be paid to cyber-security in IT systems concerned with GST.
Ministry of Mines
Mines Ministry to Organize 6th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals in New Delhi
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah To be the Chief Guest of the Conclave Organized as Part of AKAM Iconic Week Celebrations
Ministry of Mines will be organising the 6th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav iconic week celebrations on 12th July, 2022 in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah will be the chief guest of the conclave to be organised at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. Union Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi will be inaugurating the one-day conclave in the presence of Minister of State for Mines, Coal and Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve, Secretary Ministry of Mines Shri Alok Tandon and other senior officials of the ministry.
Some of the highlights of the conclave include conferring of national level award Rashtriya Khanij Vikas Puraskar to the best performing States in the field of mining, launch of three modules of Mining Tenement System , awards for 5-Star rated mines for the year 2020-21 and National Geo Science Awards-2019. Technical session by National Mineral Exploration Trust  and session on automation in mining will be held as part of the inaugural session of the conclave. CEOs of various mining companies shall brainstorm on important issues pertaining to India’s mining sector during the round table discussions.
As part of the afternoon session, the award function includes presenting new mine blocks to State Governments and the Ministry of Coal and providing incentive to State Governments for successful auction and identification of blocks. Districts performing well under District Mineral Foundation Trust  will be showcasing their achievements. Digital kiosk showcasing exhibition on development of exploration and mining during the last 75 years will be on display. A life size digital booklet depicting reforms undertaken in mining sector will be yet another attraction of the conclave.
Ministry of Mines introduced the concept of National Mining Conclave in 2016 with the aim to provide a platform for interaction among different stakeholders like Central Government officers who are policy makers, state government officers, the real executors in the auction regime, industry and the industry associations. The National Conclave on Mines & Minerals are reckoned as an overwhelming success in providing an effective platform to showcase key policy initiatives undertaken and help the Government in garnering valuable feedback for the sustained growth of the mineral sector.
PIB Headquarters
DAK ADALAT
It is proposed to conduct a Divisional level Dak Adalat at 1100 hours on 15. 07. 2019  at the Office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City South Division, T.Nagar North PO Complex , North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017.
Members of the public are requested to send their complaints / suggestions regarding the postal service  in the post offices viz Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Kodambakkam, West Mambalam, Ashoknagar, K.K.Nagar, St. Thomas Mount, Guindy I.E., Saidapet, Adyar, Tiruvanmiyur, Besantnagar, Madipakkam, Nanganallur, Sholinganallur etc in the jurisdiction of Chennai City South Division to the undersigned so as to reach on or before 12.07.2019 .
For more details contact, Phone Number – 28341668, 28342554 & email ID: dochennaicitysouth.tn@indiapost.gov.in.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves transfer  of incomplete projects of Hotel Gulmarg Ashok, Gulmarg and Hotel Patliputra Ashok, Patna to the State Governments of Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar respectively
In continuation of the disinvestment policy of the Government of India, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to further disinvestment of ITDC properties / units / JVs by way of transfers of Incomplete Project of Hotel Gulmarg Ashok, Gulmarg to the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Hotel Patliputra Ashok, Patna to the State Government of Bihar respectively.
Background:
As per the disinvestment policy of the Government of India, it had been decided to lease /sublease the India Tourism Development Corporation Limited  hotels / properties / units / Joint Ventures  jointly with the State Governments and where State Governments were not agreeing to the proposal of leasing / sub-leasing, the properties may be returned back to the State Governments at its officially valued price. The policy had been formulated keeping in view that running and managing hotels on professional lines is not the job of Government or its entities.
In pursuance of the disinvestment policy of the Government of India, with the approval accorded by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs , the Inter Ministerial Group  and the Ministry of Tourism , the ITDC has to date transferred the properties / units / JVs of ITDC of Hotel Lake View Ashok, Bhopal; Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati; Hotel Bharatpur Ashok, Bharatpur; Hotel Janpath, New Delhi ; Hotel Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore; Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok, Itanagar and Hotel Jaipur Ashok, Jaipur to the concerned State Governments.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Take NSWS  to large corporations and the Indian Missions abroad - Shri Piyush Goyal
Chief Information Security Officer should be nominated to work exclusively for the security and risk monitoring of the NSWS portal: Shri Goyal
The Know Your Approvals  service live on the NSWS with 544 approvals across 32 Central Ministries/ Departments
Simplicity of operations and transparency should be the focus of National Single Window System , says Shri Piyush Goyal
Shri Piyush Goyal chairs a review meeting of the NSWS platform
First approval through the NSWS portal granted on 11th January, for Recycling Vehicle Scrappage Facility in Gujarat
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal has said simplicity of operations and transparency should be the focus of the National Single Window System . Chairing a review meeting of the NSWS platform, Shri Goyal said there should be complete end-to-end testing of one set of approvals for each of the integrated Ministries on the NSWS portal.
The digital platform of NSWS facilitates investors to identify and apply for approvals. It supports information across 32 Central Ministries/ Departments and the platform has 14 States onboard namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The process for inclusion of 6 more States is in progress.
Shri Goyal said, in order to ensure faster approvals and save time, better communication strategy should be planned. To spread awareness about the platform, he directed that presentations be made before large corporations and to the Indian Missions abroad.
The Minister said a Chief Information Security Officer should be nominated to work exclusively for the security and risk monitoring of the NSWS portal. There should be no duplication of efforts and no physical interface, he said. “If any physical interface and interaction is needed, then it will be done through video conferencing on NSWS; Video Conferencing should be recorded and remain documentary evidence,” said Shri Goyal during the review meeting held on 19th January.
The minister stressed on the importance of user feedback. “It is critical to meet timelines which can be possible through continuous upgradation of the system,” he said.
Shri Goyal said that a meeting with States and UTs be organised next month to bring more states onboard the NSWS.
The Know Your Approvals  service is live on the NSWS with 544 approvals across 32 Central Ministries/ Departments. A total of 3,259 approvals are listed. Efforts are under progress to ensure that 13 more Ministries/Departments are onboarded by 31st March 2022 with another 360 approvals/registrations.
The first approval through the NSWS portal has been granted on 11 January 2022 to M/s CMR-Kataria Recycling Private Limited for the Vehicle Scrappage Facility RVSF, Kheda, Gujarat with a capacity of 67,000 vehicles. The approval has been made possible within a timeline of 63 days since RVSF application was submitted online on 08 November 2021.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves cooperation between Indian and Japan on Railway Safety
Cabinet approves cooperation between Indian and Japan on Railway Safety
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the signing the Memorandum of Cooperation  with Japan on Railway Safety. The MoC has already been signed in February, 2017.
The signing of MoC will enable cooperation in the following areas:
i. Track Safety  ii. Latest technology related to railway track safety 
iii. Rolling stock safety 
iv. Any other relevant railway safety matter jointly determined by both the sides within the scope of this MoC with consideration for major railway accident preventions based on the analysis of accident causes.
The MoC would provide a platform for Indian Railways to interact and share the latest development and knowledge in the railway sector. The cooperation under this MoC will involve:
a. Dispatch of experts
b. Training of core staff in Japan
c. Sharing of information and best practices
d. Facilitating the participation of other institutions, organization and ministries, including contribution of National Traffic Safety and Environmental Laboratory of Japan to Research Design and Standards Organisation, Ministry of Railway, Government of India , subject to their respective national laws and regulations where appropriate and possible.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves setting up of National Land Monetization Corporation 
NLMC to undertake monetization of surplus land and building assets of CPSEs and other Government agencies
The Union Cabinet on 9th March 2022 has approved setting up of National Land Monetization Corporation  as a wholly owned Government of India company with an initial authorized share capital of Rs 5,000 crore and paid-up share capital of Rs 150 crore. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister stated that NLMC will undertake monetization of surplus land and building assets of Central Public Sector Enterprises  and other Government agencies. The proposal is in pursuance of the Budget Announcement for 2021-22, the Minister stated.
NLMC, the Minister listed out, has the following objectives:
- To undertake professional and orderly monetization of land and other non- core assets referred to it.
- To own, hold, manage and monetize land and building assets of CPSEs under closure and surplus land and buildings of 100% GoI owned CPSEs under strategic disinvestment.
- To advise and support monetization of surplus land assets of
- Demerged companies holding surplus land
- Other CPSEs
- To advise and assist government departments, statutory bodies/ authorities, autonomous bodies, corporations, etc. on monetisation of surplus and under- utilized non-core assets.
- To identify surplus land and building assets to create an inventory for monetization in consultation with CPSEs/other government agencies.
- to build a capable organisation with skill and competencies to enable speedier and efficient monetisation which can generate maximum value from government assets.
- To act as a repository of best practices in land monetization, assist and provide expert technical advice to DPE / DIPAM /Government of India in implementation of asset monetisation program.
The Minister further stated that NLMC would be administered by a Board of Directors. The proposed Board structure envisages a mix of senior government officials and eminent professionals in the field of real estate, banking, investment banking, construction, legal and related fields. The Board is expected to have necessary experience and expertise to steer the functioning of the NLMC in a professional manner. An eminent professional would be appointed as the Chairman of the Board, the Minister stated.
Incorporation of NLMC is underway which is being steered by Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, the Minister stated.